John Lennon’s Best Lead Guitar Moments in the Beatles

John Lennon is most commonly lauded for his lead vocals and songwriting abilities while with the Beatles. But, his lead guitar efforts are similarly impressive. He delivered many memorable riffs across his tenure. Revisit three of his best guitar bouts while with the Fab Four, below.

[RELATED: 4 Fab Songs George Harrison Co-Wrote with Other Stars—Including Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and ELO’s Jeff Lynne]

John Lennon’s Best Lead Guitar Moments in the Beatles

1. “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”

This main riff in “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” is deeply memorable and insatiably catchy. Though the vocal melody is equally as enticing, it’s really Lennon’s playing that gives this song its wings. Though George Harrison also adds a guitar line, we have to give Lennon his props here.

I want you

I want you so bad

I want you

I want you so bad

It’s driving me mad, it’s driving me mad

I want you

I want you so bad, babe

I want you

I want you so bad

It’s driving me mad, it’s driving me

[RELATED: Remember When: George Harrison Was Found Guilty of “Subconsciously” Plagiarizing His ‘All Things Must Pass’ Hit “My Sweet Lord”]

2. “Get Back”

Lennon filled in for Harrison–who had recently decided to take a break from the band–on “Get Back.” Though Harrison’s absence was felt, Lennon more than rose to the occasion. The band ventured into hard-edged rock with this track and Lennon’s playing was the perfect edition to that goal.

Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner

But he knew it couldn’t last

Jojo left his home in Tucson, Arizona

For some California grass

Get back, get back

Get back to where you once belonged

Get back, get back

Get back to where you once belonged

Get back Jojo

3. “Day Tripper” (with George Harrison)

“Day Tripper” features one of the band’s most famous riffs. When this song comes on that familiar trill is instantly recognizable. That’s all thanks to Lennon and his astute playing. Again, Harrison helped out in the guitar department, but we count it as one of Lennon’s best efforts on his instrument.

She was a day tripper

A one way ticket, yeah

It took me so long to find out

And I found out

She’s a big teaser

She took me half the way there

She’s a big teaser

She took me half the way there, now

John Lennon On Stage 1980 (Photo by MediaPunch/Shutterstock)